Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been censored in Kuwait over a brief LGBTQ+ moment.
Spoilers ahead.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the conservative country cut a 10-second scene which featured openly queer character Aneka (Michaela Coel) kissing Ayo (Florence Kasumba) on the forehead.
In addition to the aforementioned moment, a scene with the line “a God to his people” was also removed from the highly anticipated sequel.
Despite the series of cuts in Kuwait – which added up to one minute in total – the publication noted that the film would be screening unedited in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
Over the last few years, the gulf states have censored or banned Marvel movies, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, because of LGBTQ+ characters or storylines.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sees the return of Letitia Wright as Shuri, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross and Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda.
Additionally, Dominique Thorne and Tenoch Huerta also make their MCU debuts as Riri Williams/Ironheart, a genius inventor who creates an Iron Man-inspired suit of armour, and Namor, the ruler of the underwater nation Talocan, respectively.
Following the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, it was announced that the role of King T’Challa would not be recast and that the film would honour the titular star’s legacy.
A synopsis for Wakanda Forever reads: “Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.
“As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now playing in cinemas.
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